For many, Ashton Kutcher is an actor and heartthrob, but in the tech scene he’s made his mark as a branding and new media expert with an eye for great ideas and a fearless approach to new markets. To the Airbnb team, he is more than an icon – he is now our ally and trusted advisor.

That’s right. It’s official. Ashton Kutcher – the man whose social media savvy made him a Twitter force to be reckoned with – has announced that he has made a significant investment in Airbnb and will be joining the team as a strategic advisor. The actor and angel investor’s love of science and technology is nothing new, but he has taken a fascination with tech to new heights with his avid approach to brand marketing and social media. From scavenger hunts through the streets of Austin to promote Nikon cameras, to raising awareness for the Sundance Film Festival with reality TV, Ashton’s branding initiatives set new standards for brand engagement through technology.

With his incredible wit and personality, Ashton Kutcher has shown the world the power social media has on emerging brands and in developing strong, passionate communities. With Ashton on board, we’ll be working together to take our community engagement to the next level and expand our international presence to reach more people from different cultures all over the world. It’s an exciting time for us. Airbnb has pioneered an industry and broken new ground as a trusted community marketplace where people from all over the world can discover and book unique spaces from people anywhere in the world. Now it’s time to expand and time to bring our concept to communities on an international scale.

Help us warmly welcome Ashton to the Airbnb team in the comments below!

More thoughts from our CEO, Brian Chesky, and our newest advisor, Ashton Kutcher, can be found in their exclusive interview with the New York Times.